Question about swordsmanship...

There's different schools of thought on that. I've seen people block with the sharp edge, claiming it's because it's the hardest part of the sword... and I've seen people say that's ludicrous. Both sides adamant in their belief.

Correct me if in wrong, but isn't the mune the softest part of a shinken? Not sure I'd want to block with that. Also, it seems like taking the time to twist the sword so the spine is blocking would be a huge waste of time - for the blocking and readjusting to counter - plus the tsuka would be unwieldy and insecure in your hand. At least I would think so. Some of the more "combat oriented" sword styles I've been exposed to emphasized control and minimized movement. A lot of the blocks for overhead strikes were done at an angle reminiscent to how you would use a sharpening/honing steel on a chefs knife.

I was taught to avoid hitting edge-on-edge for a few reasons - one being, that as the thinnest profile part of the blades, it is possible for the two blades to "lock" together when they notch each other.

That said, if there was a blade swinging at my head, I'll block with whatever happens to be the most expedient.

That said, if there was a blade swinging at my head, I'll block with whatever happens to be the most expedient.

Exactly my thoughts, lol.

I get theory behind the edge being the hardest so you should block with it, but that also makes it the most brittle. I have Japanese chefs knives, made similarly to swords, and they are notorious for their sharpness and brittleness (I was honing mine wrong and it's got some chips in the blade edge).

Correct me if in wrong, but isn't the mune the softest part of a shinken?

I'm sure you're right (Its been a long time since I've done anything Japanese sword related). The spine blocking could've been a misunderstanding on my part, or it could've been lack of blade knowledge from the instructor, I just remember being taught it.

I don't know much about Japanese swordplay, but Chinese saberplay is similar in that the edge is for cutting and slashing (vs stabbing)...that can be your opponent or his weapon. In a life or death situation like real sword fighting, like fuzzy said, whatever keeps your head on your shoulders.

There are some advantages of using the side of the blade to block vs the blade...but that may be my own style talking...the Single Moon saber form that I learned includes a lot of 1-2 combinations that involve blocking with the side immediately continued by a slash with the blade. Blocking with the edge first would interrupt the "flow" of the slashing technique.